Homeland security officials say screeners at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport will be retrained on handling passengers with medical conditions, following reports of two elderly women being strip searched.

Lenore Zimmerman, 85, and Ruth Sherman, 88, said they were taken to a room and forced to remove their clothes while traveling separately through the airport last November.

Zimmerman had to remove a back brace and Sherman had to allow screeners to inspect her colostomy bag.

The Transportation Security Administration issued a letter of apology, admitting the screeners violated procedures. But it also claims the women voluntarily removed their clothing.

"They are lying. Absolutely lying. I mean where would I dream of making up a story like that," Zimmerman said.

"I felt so violated that you have no idea. I said to myself, 'Dear God, what did I ever do in this world?'" Sherman said.

Both women said they were insulted by TSA's response to the humiliating treatment they were subjected to.